Edwin Clark to Tinubu: ‘No One Can Play God Over Nigeria’—Release Nnamdi Kanu for National Peace

Edwin Clark, leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), has urged President Bola Tinubu to instruct the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to dismiss all charges against Nnamdi Kanu, the incarcerated leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

In his heartfelt appeal, Edwin Clark conveys his concerns about Nigeria’s pressing issues, from economic troubles to rising insecurity, particularly in the South-East. 

Edwin Clark emphasizes that the treatment of every Nigerian region equally is crucial for lasting peace and unity.

He suggests that Kanu’s release would not only symbolize a commitment to fairness but also potentially quell the ongoing unrest in the Southeast, which has been marked by frequent sit-at-home orders disrupting daily life.

“I have never supported the activities of IPOB under the leadership of Nnamdi Kanu, but today, Nigeria, a broken country where many groups and nativities have cried foul to the way Nigeria had been going since 1999 because of the military constitution imposed on Nigerians by the military,” the letter reads.

“Today, our economy is failing, our democracy is failing, our education and health institutions are collapsing, the youths are jobless, and some people are treated as second-class citizens while a few enjoy the fruit of the so-called democracy we are passing through, coupled with the violence and insecurity in the south-east; and if allowed to continue, the consequences will be very unpleasant to all Nigerians.”

He said, “The unity of Nigeria can only be achieved and sustained if every part of the country is treated equally with the other parts, in all ramifications.

“No one can play God over Nigeria, and no section owns this country more than any other section. We want Mr President to reassure Nigerians of our oneness.”

Edwin Clark assured that Kanu’s release would end the Monday sit-at-home order in the South-East and restore peace in the country.

Edwin Clark said, “Let me re-emphasize the importance and urgency of reintegrating the Igbos into the mainstream of Nigeria, where their region will be equal with other regions in all ramifications, meaning that they should be fully and unconditionally united or be admitted into the union of Nigeria as it was before the civil war.

“The release of Nnamdi Kanu by Mr. President on political grounds is overdue, as earlier explained.

“Mr. President should direct the attorney general to enter a nolle prosequi to free Nnamdi Kanu, who has shown his intention to work with the federal government, to bring peace and stability in the south-east and to Nigerians as a whole, as it has been recently done in similar cases of treasonable felony, as in the case of Miyetti Allah president Abdullahi Bello Bodejo of Nasarawa state.”